Trilene Big Game

[fishking247]

i've been a huge trilene fan for years until today. while fishing and snagged i went to break off and the line snapped about 20 yards from the knot! a little while later the line snapped during the cast. i did have a few backlashes a few days ago in wind but i dont think that was the cause of the line failure. anyone else have any issues?

[Fishes in trees]

I have had enough issues with Trilene Big Game over the years- various things, but the line snapping at a place where previously there was a back lash happened several times.  I've got rid of all the Big Game I had - gave it to my sisters.  They use it to hang pictures, make mobiles, and whatever other uses artsy/crafty type women use mono for.

[Crestliner2008]

I'm not familiar with "Big Game", but am a fan of XL (on my UL rigs) and XT for my top water or heavier applications.

[Topwaterspook]

I bought a one pound spool of #12 Big Game. It was on clearance for $1.99. I HAD to buy it....lol. I have yet to have any issues with it other than it seems to attract and hold a lot of water scum on it's surface. I'm constantly reeling the business end of it through a clean rag. I've been spraying it with KVD line conditioner. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it. It appears to be a bit stiffer than I'd use on a spinning reel though.

[Sam]

You may have damaged the line when you either got the backlash or tried to remove it.

 

Mono line can get damaged in the water and unknown to you until it breaks.

 

Do you run the line across your thumbnail between your thumb and first finger to check it as you fish durng the day?

 

You can get unknown knicks, cuts and abraisions that can weaken the line and make it break off. The thumbnail test will help you find any problems and you can cut it out and retie.

 

I am not saying the line never fails. I am saying it is everyone's responsibility to double check the line for problems as you fish and also retie your knots after every two or three caught fish.

 

We all get backlashes, even after balancing the rod, line and bait. If you are having backlash problems go outside; cast as far as you can; remove two arm lengths of line from baitcaster; then put Scotch tape over the remaining line on the spool from left to right; and reel in.

 

The backlash can go only as deep as the Scotch tape will allow.

 

And when casting into the wind, try to keep rod tip as close to the water as possible.

 

Let us know if the Big Game continues to give you trouble.  Thanks.

[smbrule!]

Use a lot of big game in 10, 12 and 15# test.  Never had a problem in breakage.

[tyrius.]

I use Big Game and have never had any issues. 

 

My guess is that your backlashes damaged the line and caused your problems.  If you respool you'll probably be just fine.

[lmbfisherman]

I use Big Game when I use Mono.  I have 6,8,12,14 lb tests never had an issue with any of them.  Of course I don't use Mono much anymore as mainline as I switched to braid almost exclusively. 

[ClackerBuzz]

braid doesn't get compromised during a backlash.  braid to mono or fluoro leader=best of all worlds

[alexandboi]

I use the 8 and 12 and haven't had any problems. I think it is a little more stuff than other lines but for the price I thinks it's a really good line.

[cajunpapi]

I have used green big game for years have never had problems with it. Times I did have problem was after a big oops(backlash) then the curls in the line would become pinched and broke there. The greenhas done a great job,but the gold or blue does not do as good.

[Raul]

I´ve fished with Big Game for over two decades, line issues have a lot more to blame on the user than on the product, no line, no matter which brand or which material is made from is indestructible, you can´t expect line to scream YEHAAAWW! and saying "let them come" after a backlash or being rubbed vigorously against rocks or wood, part of the user obligation to itself is to check his/her line on a regular basis throughout the day looking for signs of wear and tear.

[The Next KVD]

Issues with a product that has almost legendary status are more user fault than the actual products.  I've never had an issue with Big Game. Than again, I've never got a major backlash with it causing the line to pinch in areas.  Respool and you'll be fine.  The same thing happens with fluorocarbon, get a really bad backlash or a lot of them, your better off to respool otherwise it will break.

[blskybass]

I haven't used it for anything other than backing for a while, but when I did use it, it was fine and seemed to be really good mono to me.

[shootermcbob]

I also use big game, mostly in heavier ratings such as 12, 15, and 20 lb. Never had a problem with any of them. I do treat with KVD line & lure.

[BobP]

Big Game is a decent mono - moderate in performance and inexpensive.  It's one of the most popular and prevalent brands of mono sold in stores like Walmart, etc and it's been around for ages.  But you can get a bad spool if it has been improperly stored or has been sitting on a store shelf exposed to UV light and ozone for years before you buy it.  If you bought a UV damaged 1/4 lb spool and spooled up your reel from its beginning, the problem may disappear because UV did not reach the interior portion of the line.  But I'd be inclined to toss it or return it and choose another brand from a different retailer to avoid the possibility of future breakage.  

[fishking247]

Fished it all day yesterday throwing spinnerbaits an rattle traps. A good 5 hours of fishing and had no problems. Noticed some nicks in the line at the end of the day but that is to be expected. The stuff is so cheap I change it every 2-4 weeks (I fish everyday)

[derekxec]

i used to use the 20lb big game and also ande 20lb as backing only but tossed both of them and now i use Stren high impact and ive found it to be soooo much better...i use saltwater around piers and such and the big game and ande lines all broke really easy and let my 300-500 yards of braid take off 

 

the stren line on the other hand i have reeled it up with all kinds of cuts and frays and nicks and still reeled back in all my braid to land fish that were wrapped along pilings and such

[Blues19]

Ive never had an issue with Big Game. I think its a pretty good cheap mono.

[Capt.Bob]

It is my favorite leader line in mono, I have found it to be the toughest line I've found for being abrasion resistant. As far as using it as a main line as a full spool, I have found it to be way to stiff, and have to much memory for main line use. I think it is the toughest line and rely on it to always break at the knot, even when it is fairly nicked up. I think your problem was from the previous backlashes. 

[SirSnookalot]

My formula for inshore leaders is to double my braid rating, for 20# I use Big Game 40# and it's worked out quite well.  Once it's in the water it limps out pretty good but the one negative is my alberto knots do not come out well, it isn't that big a deal for me as I mainly use swivels. I've used Big Game either 20 or 25# can't remember for offshore species on a conventional reel, no issue to be concerned about, that being said not used in a cast and retrieve situation, but drifting and trolling.

[fishking247]

It is my favorite leader line in mono, I have found it to be the toughest line I've found for being abrasion resistant. As far as using it as a main line as a full spool, I have found it to be way to stiff, and have to much memory for main line use. I think it is the toughest line and rely on it to always break at the knot, even when it is fairly nicked up. I think your problem was from the previous backlashes.

Capt bob I have tested the line where it breaks. I tested 12, 15, and 20. Sometimes it broke a few inches from the knot other times up to 10 feet from the knot. This test was done with brand new line using a Palomar knot

[I.rar]

ive used it when i first got into fishing. its a decent line like everyone has stated and inexpensive. i respooled often and did not have any unusual breakages. things i didnt like was it holds onto everything including memory. after i switched to braid, i kept one spool for pictures and other household tasks and gave the other spools away. 

 

if i were to go with mono again, id choose sufix siege for abrasion resistance or elite for castability.

[Capt.Bob]

Capt bob I have tested the line where it breaks. I tested 12, 15, and 20. Sometimes it broke a few inches from the knot other times up to 10 feet from the knot. This test was done with brand new line using a Palomar knot

 

 

My formula for inshore leaders is to double my braid rating, for 20# I use Big Game 40# and it's worked out quite well.  Once it's in the water it limps out pretty good but the one negative is my alberto knots do not come out well, it isn't that big a deal for me as I mainly use swivels. I've used Big Game either 20 or 25# can't remember for offshore species on a conventional reel, no issue to be concerned about, that being said not used in a cast and retrieve situation, but drifting and trolling.

My purpose of my leaders is to be sure where my line will fail, and the last thing I want to do is dump braid in the water.You are sure it will never rot and I think the environment is my responsibility to protect. Braid loose in the water is detrimental to everything from lower units to wildlife, it does not rot! I use slightly lighter Big Game than the Braid on my reel on my heaviest rigs and at times use much lighter BG than my main line. I always use the improved blood knot to join my lines, and either a Trylene knot or if using multiple knots as in a Carolina rig, one Trylene and one improved Trylene!! I do (and have never had a problem) control where the break will happen on my rigs, depending on what piece of terminal tackle hangs up! Try using knots that have different breaking weights. I assure if you use twice the pound test leader you will always loose environmentally hazardous braid, that may take wildlife or when it gets wound up in a lower unit, seal, bearing I hope it is on the user that dumped it's boat and not mine!  I have paid for others lack of responsible use on Lake Erie at the cost of over $1000,00 on my charter boat in the past,,,,,,,,not fun!! 

[SirSnookalot]

My purpose of my leaders is to be sure where my line will fail, and the last thing I want to do is dump braid in the water.You are sure it will never rot and I think the environment is my responsibility to protect. Braid loose in the water is detrimental to everything from lower units to wildlife, it does not rot! I use slightly lighter Big Game than the Braid on my reel on my heaviest rigs and at times use much lighter BG than my main line. I always use the improved blood knot to join my lines, and either a Trylene knot or if using multiple knots as in a Carolina rig, one Trylene and one improved Trylene!! I do (and have never had a problem) control where the break will happen on my rigs, depending on what piece of terminal tackle hangs up! Try using knots that have different breaking weights. I assure if you use twice the pound test leader you will always loose environmentally hazardous braid, that may take wildlife or when it gets wound up in a lower unit, seal, bearing I hope it is on the user that dumped it's boat and not mine!  I have paid for others lack of responsible use on Lake Erie at the cost of over $1000,00 on my charter boat in the past,,,,,,,,not fun!! 

Fishing with a heavier leader than the braid is quite the norm down here.  We have fish with razor sharp gill plates that will sever lighter leaders.  If by chance we are cut off from coral, rocks or barnacles, the cut point is usually the leader or very close to it, not much loss of line.  For an example and it would be the same for different leader and line combinations, 20# braid does not break too far from the breaking point of a 40# leader, what happens much of the time is the fish spitting the hook or loosing it on a jump.  Also using the drag properly and letting the fish take out line takes tension off the line, leader and knots, less of chance for any breakage.  Different tactics for different areas and fish species.